THE GODHEAD

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in His eternal existence as God; His incarnation and virgin birth; His death on the cross as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sin; His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead; His ascension into heaven; His present ministry as our High Priest and Advocate; and His personal future return to earth (John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-ll; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 John 2:1; Acts 1:11).

MAN

We believe man was originally created in the image of God. As a consequence of man’s sin, he incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. All humanity is born in this state and all have a propensity to sin (Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1-3).

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is entirely a free gift of God’s grace, through faith (trust) in Christ for eternal life and based on Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for sin. Salvation is threefold: (1) deliverance from spiritual death caused by sin when one trusts in Christ for eternal life; (2) deliverance from the practice of sin as the believer walks in obedience; and (3) deliverance from the presence of sin when the believer meets God in heaven (Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:5).

THE CHURCH

We believe that the church is both universal and local. The ministry of the local church is twofold: (1) the gathering together of believers for mutual/reciprocal ministry and (2) the scattering of believers into the world to reveal the reality of Christ in their lives and conversations. Spiritual leadership in the local church consists of multiple/equal elders who shepherd (feed, lead, and protect) God’s people (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 4:5-6; Acts 20:17, 28-35; 1 Peter 5:1- 4).

THE FUTURE

We believe in the imminent, personal return to earth of Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in Christ will be resurrected to everlasting life with God. All who have not trusted in Christ will be resurrected to judgment and separation from God for all of eternity (John 3:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).